MAC Matchmaster Foundation

MAC Matchmaster Foundation ($32.50 for 1.18 fl. oz.) is a buildable, medium-coverage liquid foundation with a “moisturizing demi-matte finish.” It’s supposed to have “line-reducing soft-focus powders” and “translucent pigments to enable a fully personalized finish influenced by the subtleties of your own skin’s undertone.”

It carries a SPF 15 rating, and the active ingredients are octinoxate (3.4%) and titanium dioxide (1.0%). With the low amount of titanium dioxide, you should be able to get away with it in photographs, though for really big, special occasions (e.g. weddings, graduations, etc.) you might opt for a more photography-appropriate formula. I didn’t notice sufficient change when I took numerous photos wearing it.

I tested shade 3.0 initially, which is supposed to suit NC30s, but it was a third to half a shade too dark and yellower than I needed. I think 2.0 is a better match, especially as we get into winter, but in some lighting, it seems a touch too light. Usually, if a foundation runs light, I’ll opt for the slightly too-light variation and use a setting powder in a shade that’s a closer match–because then it tends to come together as a solid match all around. From what I’ve heard from other readers, 1.0 may match those who are lighter than the traditional NC/NW15 shades.

I was testing this when my skin felt drier than normal (it’s typically normal-to-dry but closer to normal), and I felt like it emphasized the visible pores on my cheeks and had clingy feeling. If you have drier patches (I sometimes get them around my temples), it is not forgiving at all. The result was not entirely unexpected, given the demi-matte finish–the rule of thumb has always been dewier finishes for drier skin, matter finishes for oilier skin. I wanted to wait until my skin normalized to try it again, which is why the review took longer than normal, and I liked it better when my skin was at its usual normal-to-dry character.

The coverage is light to medium, but medium coverage takes a little more product to achieve, so it is less comfortable and heavier to wear if you need medium coverage. It has a good consistency where it doesn’t feel thick, but it’s not watery or loose. I used about a pump to pump and a half for total application. I tried various applicators, from sponges to brushes (109, 130, 187, 193), and I preferred the 109 or 193 (really like how it gets into the nooks and crannies so well!).

I get around eight hours of wear with this foundation, which is solid. I wore it longer, and by the tenth hour, it was a little faded and had moved around a touch, but it was still mostly intact (a little powder would have brought it back up to par). There is a faint chemical scent that I noticed when I first applied the product to my skin, but I did not detect it as I wore it throughout the day. I’d recommend this foundation more for those with normal, combination, or oily skin types. If you have dry skin but not patches or flakes, then you might like this one still–but I’d say it’s not a good match if you do suffer from drier patches/flaking.

While it’s not appropriate for me when my skin is on the drier side, I didn’t have those issues when I tested it for a second run with normal skin.  I liked it, but I didn’t love it; it wasn’t my holy grail formula.  It’s worth checking out, and overall, a welcomed addition to MAC’s foundation line-up.

The Glossover

	MAC Matchmaster Foundation Review, Photos, Swatches B+
	It should be a good foundation for normal, combination, and oily skin types. I caution it for those with very dry to dry skin types, because it is less forgiving around larger pores, unevenness in skin texture, and dry patches. It's light to medium coverage, wears comfortably, and doesn't feel heavy when worn.
	Product 8.5/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 8.5/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
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MAC Matchmaster Foundation

MAC Matchmaster Foundation

MAC Matchmaster Foundation

MAC Matchmaster Foundation Shade 3.0

No foundation vs. MAC Matchmaster Foundation

MAC Matchmaster Foundation

Look:  Neutral Eyes + Vampy Lip

And the third look I did to test out MAC’s new Pro Longwear eyeshadows!  I don’t know what’s going on this week, but I’m already exhausted!  Can you believe it’s already Wednesday?

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer (primer),  MAC Carefree Eyeshadow (white gold), MAC Legendary Black Eyeshadow (black brown), MAC Make Your Mark Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), MAC Black Black Chromagraphic Pencil (black), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara
• Face:  MAC Matchmaster Foundation (03), Korres #15 Natural Blush (nude brown), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), Guerlain Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush (illuminator)
• Lips:  MAC Soulfully Rich Pro Longwear Lipcreme (deep wine berry)

For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow.  Apply Carefree eyeshadow on the lower two-thirds of the lid with the 239.  In the crease, gently brush Legendary Black eyeshadow with the 222 and diffuse above the crease.  Apply Make Your Mark eyeshadow in the outer corner and lid to add warmth with the 239.  Use Black Black eyeliner on the lower lash lin, then soften with Carefree eyeshadow.  Finish lashes with Film Noir mascara.

For face, apply Matchmaster all over face with the 193.  Add color to the cheeks by gently dusting Natural blush near apples and blended out towards temples with the 116.  Lightly dust on illuminator with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones.  Set with Les Violettes with the 134.

For lips, apply Soulfully Rich onto lips.

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Look:  Warm Green & Brown

This was the second look I tried to test drive MAC’s new long-wearing eyeshadows!  I don’t know if I’ve paired green (without being brownish or olive) with browns – it’s a very earthy combo!  Hope you’re having a fabulous day!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer (primer),  MAC Fresh Flare Eyeshadow (green), MAC Keep Your Cool Eyeshadow (grayish brown), MAC Lie Low Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Eyeliner (copper), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara
• Face:  MAC Matchmaster Foundation (03), Korres #15 Natural Blush (nude brown), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), Guerlain Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush (illuminator)
• Lips:  MAC To the Future! Pro Longwear Lipcreme (nude), MAC Show Me! Pro Longwear Lipglass (peach brown)

For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow.  Apply Fresh Flare eyeshadow on the lower two-thirds of the lid with the 239.  In the crease, gently brush Keep Your Cool eyeshadow with the 222 and diffuse above the crease.  Apply Lie Low eyeshadow in the crease to add warmth with the 239.  Use Lucky eyeliner on the lower lash lin, then soften with Lie Low eyeshadow.  Finish lashes with Film Noir mascara.

For face, apply Matchmaster all over face with the 193.  Add color to the cheeks by gently dusting Natural blush near apples and blended out towards temples with the 116.  Lightly dust on illuminator with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones.  Set with Les Violettes with the 134.

For lips, apply To the Future onto lips and then layer over Show Me.

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Look:  Orange & Browns

This was the first look I did to test drive MAC’s new long-wearing eyeshadows.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Primer (primer),  MAC One to Watch Eyeshadow (peach-orange), MAC Hot Paprika Eyeshadow (burnt orange), MAC Lie Low Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Lucky 24/7 Eyeliner (copper), Lancome Doll Eyes Mascara
• Face:  MAC Matchmaster Foundation (03), Guerlain Les Violettes Mineral Powder (03), Guerlain Parure de Nuit Pressed Powder & Blush (illuminator)
• Lips:  MAC Driven by Love Lipglass (red)

For eyes, start by laying down your eyeshadow primer all over the lid and until the brow.  Apply One to Watch eyeshadow on the lower two-thirds of the lid with the 239.  In the crease, gently brush Hot Paprika eyeshadow with the 222.  Above the crease, apply Lie Low eyeshadow and diffuse upwards.

For face, apply Matchmaster all over face with the 193.  Lightly dust on illuminator with the 165 or 188 on cheek bones.  Set with Les Violettes with the 134.

For lips, apply Driven by Love onto lips.

Check out more photos!